Intake Oxidant Generator Systems and Methods

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices for generating radicals in an air stream at the intake of an internal combustion engine, as well as increasing the thrust of such air streams into the engine. A plasma generator including plasma actuators, dielectric barrier discharge electrodes, or both is positioned in the intake stream. Plasma actuators are disposed on the interior surface of the plasma generator, exposed to the intake stream. Dielectric barrier discharge electrodes protrude into the intake air stream. Plasma, preferably DBD plasma, glow plasma, or filamentary plasma, is generated in the air intake stream, creating radicals in the stream, mixing the radicals in the stream, and reducing drag while increasing thrust of air in the intake stream. A concentric cylinder can be further disposed in the plasma generator, with further plasma actuators, dielectric barrier discharge electrodes, or both, on the interior and exterior surfaces of the cylinder.

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisionalapplication No. 62/716,531 filed on Aug. 9, 2018. This and all otherextrinsic references referenced herein are incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is plasma generating systems.

BACKGROUND

The background description includes information that may be useful inunderstanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any ofthe information provided herein is prior art or relevant to thepresently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically orimplicitly referenced is prior art.

Internal combustion engines (ICE) inherently emit pollutants, which is along standing problem sought to be abated by developments in emissionscontrol technologies, for example industry standard catalysts. However,while catalysts and other emission control technologies have proveneffective at abating some pollutant emissions, such technologies cannotoperate at all temperatures of the ICE's operation.

Known emission control technologies suffer limited oxidant productionranges due to discharge poisoning, as well as high surface drag on theouter walls of the plasma generator inside the intake stream, whereapplicable. Moreover, known methods have limited success at mixingconstituents of air drawn into the combustion chamber of ICE devices.Further, the known art is generally too technical to allow averageconsumers to access, assemble, or maintain systems designed to improveefficiencies of ICE devices, or otherwise lack modularity.

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extentas if each individual publication or patent application werespecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference isinconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein,the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definitionof that term in the reference does not apply.

The following description includes information that may be useful inunderstanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any ofthe information provided herein is prior art or relevant to thepresently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically orimplicitly referenced is prior art.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients,properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth,used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are tobe understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.”Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth inthe written description and attached claims are approximations that canvary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by aparticular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parametersshould be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstandingthat the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scopeof some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspracticable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of theinvention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from thestandard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the descriptionherein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve asa shorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respectto certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminatethe invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theinvention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. One ormore members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the groupas modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markushgroups used in the appended claims.

Thus, there is still a need for improved plasma, radical, and oxidantgenerator systems and methods to increase combustion efficiency withoxygen and nitrogen radicals and reduce drag in the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods inwhich an intake plasma generator has two plasma actuators (e.g., twodielectric barrier discharge (DBD) electrodes) disposed at leastpartially proximal to an intake stream of an internal combustion engine,for example in the intake stream upstream of the ICE engine. The two DBDelectrodes, for example, generate a plurality of oxidants about areaction zone in the intake stream. The plurality of oxidants treatmatter in the intake stream to increase the combustion efficiency offuel in a cylinder or combustion chamber of the ICE engine downstream ofthe intake stream.

Generally, the first and second DBD electrodes are tubular and have atubular wall. However, in some embodiments at least one (preferablyboth) of the DBD electrodes are plasma actuators deposited on aninterior surface of the plasma generator, for example a dielectricsurface in the plasma generator (e.g., embedded in dielectric material).In some embodiments, the first and second DBD electrodes generate ahybrid-plasma in the reaction zone, which comprises a glide-arc plasmaand a DBD plasma, but additional combinations of plasmas arecontemplated, for example non-thermal plasmas (e.g., filamentary plasma,glow plasma, etc), or combinations thereof. In preferred embodiments,the reaction zone is a DBD or nonthermal plasma.

The wall of the DBD electrode can also act as ground electrodes for afirst high voltage electrode positioned outside the wall (e.g., firstDBD electrode is ground electrode for first high voltage electrode,etc). In some embodiments, an arc-plasma discharge occurs across thewall of the first DBD electrode and the first high voltage electrode,though it is contemplated that nonthermal plasmas, DBD plasmas, glowplasmas, or filamentary plasmas may also be discharged.

Likewise, the wall of the second DBD electrode can be a ground electrodefor a second high voltage electrode positioned outside the wall, witharc-plasma discharge occurring across the first and second high voltageelectrode (without dielectric material), or a nonthermal plasmadischarge across the first and second DBD electrode walls (e.g., withdielectric material), or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, aprimary plasma discharge (e.g., nonthermal plasma, DBD plasma, glowplasma, or filamentary plasma, rarely an arc plasma) occurs across thefirst and second DBD electrode walls, while a secondary plasma dischargeoccurs across the wall of a third electrode and the wall of either (orboth) the first and second DBD electrodes. It is contemplated that thesecondary discharge can be of greater voltage than the primarydischarge.

Preferably the DBD electrodes (one, two, three, more than five, morethan twenty, etc) are arranged in the intake stream to complement theVon Karman Vortex Street fluid instability of matter (e.g., air,air/fuel mix, etc) passing through the intake stream. Viewed fromanother perspective, the DBD electrodes each have an axis along thelength of the generator, and (at least) some of the DBD electrodes arepositioned in the intake stream with its axis perpendicular to flow inthe intake stream.

A plasma actuator is also contemplated, positioned in the intake streamupstream of the first DBD electrode, such that the plasma actuatorcharges matter passing through the intake stream, accelerating thecharged matter toward the first DBD electrode. In some embodiments, aplasma actuator (or plurality thereof) are arranged upstream,downstream, or within the reaction zone of a plasma generator of theinventive subject matter. Plasma actuators of the inventive subjectmatter can create DBD plasma, glow plasma, or filamentary plasma. Viewedfrom another perspective, some plasma actuators are also DBD electrodes.For example, plasma actuators can be embedded in inner surfaces (e.g.,exposed to interior of plasma generator, exposed to intake stream,exposed to air in intake stream, etc) of the plasma generator as points,or as irregular (e.g., random) or regular (e.g., uniform, repeated,geometric, etc) patterns. In some embodiments, a plasma actuator, morepreferably a plurality thereof, are used without the addition of DBDelectrodes.

The inventive subject matter contemplates a nonthermal dielectricbarrier discharge plasma generates radical oxidants in air in the intakestream of an ICE engine, which enhances combustion of fuel inside thecylinder or combustion chamber of the engine. This promotes increasedefficiency, higher power, and lower emissions. The inventive subjectmatter advantageously lowers emissions during cold-start conditions,which is critical as it appears no known emissions control technologyworks at temperatures below light-off temperature of the exhaustcatalysts.

The inventive subject matter further contemplates a nonthermaldielectric barrier discharge plasma favorably generates thrust on thesurrounding air by accelerating electrons and positive ions in theintake stream of an ICE engine, which entrain neutral air molecules.This further promotes increase efficiency, higher power, and loweremissions.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventivesubject matter will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanyingdrawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

The following definitions are useful in the technical field of theinventive subject matter:

DBD: Dielectric Barrier Discharge with filamentary or glow type plasmawhich is in a non-equilibrium state between the temperatures of theelectrons vs the ions/gas/neutrals.

Arc Discharge: Arc plasma discharge which is close to an equilibriumstate between the temperatures of the electrons vs theions/gas/neutrals.

Hybrid Plasma: two or more different type of plasmas within the samereaction zone or in close proximity to each other.

Radical: Oxidant.

O3: Ozone.

NO: Nitrogen Monoxide.

NO2: Nitrogen Dioxide.

DOC: Diesel Oxidation Catalyst.

DPF: Diesel Particulate Filter.

Electrical Feedthrough: Electrode which includes an insulator andmounting mechanism.

Coanda Effect: Entrained flow that attaches to a surface within theflow.

Discharge Poisoning: When too much energy is supplied to the plasmagenerator and the oxidant production reduces due to too much heat.

Plasma Actuator: Plasma generator that accelerates charged air species.

Internal Combustion Engine (ICE): all combustion engines includingreciprocating, rotary, turbine, jet, and rocket engines.

Intake Cowl: where are enters the compression stage of a jet turbine.

Cold Start: When an engine is started from ambient/environmentaltemperatures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a cross section view of an electrode of the inventivesubject matter.

FIGS. 2A-2C depict the flow of matter around electrodes of the inventivesubject matter.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of arrays of electrodes in an intakeplasma generator of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 4 depicts other arrays of electrodes in an intake plasma generatorof the inventive subject matter.

FIGS. 5A-5B depict an intake plasma generator of the inventive subjectmatter.

FIG. 6 depicts discharges between electrodes of the inventive subjectmatter.

FIG. 7 depicts another electrode of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 8 depicts another array of electrodes of the inventive subjectmatter.

FIG. 9 depicts a further array of electrodes of the inventive subjectmatter.

FIG. 10 depicts another intake plasma generator of the inventive subjectmatter.

FIG. 11 depicts a schematic of a system of the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 12 depicts a schematic of another system of the inventive subjectmatter.

FIG. 13 depicts a schematic of the operation of a plasma generator ofthe inventive subject matter.

FIGS. 14A-14C depict yet another plasma generator of the inventivesubject matter.

FIG. 14D depicts a component of a plasma generator of the inventivesubject matter.

FIG. 14E depicts another component of a plasma generator of theinventive subject matter.

FIG. 15A depicts still another plasma generator of the inventive subjectmatter.

FIG. 15B depicts a portion of a plasma generator of the inventivesubject matter.

FIG. 15C depicts another portion of a plasma generator of the inventivesubject matter.

FIGS. 16A-C depict yet further components of a plasma generator of theinventive subject matter.

FIG. 17 depicts a plasma generator of the inventive subject matterincorporated into an air intake component.

FIG. 18 depicts a plasma generator of the inventive subject matterincorporated into another air intake component.

FIG. 19 depicts a system incorporating two plasma generators of theinventive subject matter.

FIG. 20 depicts a plasma generator of the inventive subject matterincorporated into yet another air intake component.

FIG. 21 depicts a plasma generator of the inventive subject matterincorporated into still another air intake component.

FIGS. 22A-22B depict a plasma generator of the inventive subject matterincorporated into a jet turbine engine.

FIGS. 23A-23B depict still another plasma generator of the inventivesubject matter.

FIG. 24 depicts yet another component of a plasma generator of theinventive subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods, systems, and devices of the inventive subject matter useconcentric cylindrical chambers to enhance mixing inside the center ofthe intake stream of an ICE engine. Surface features on insulator (e.g.,dielectric material, etc) and electrode surfaces are employed toincrease mixing of air in the intake stream, increasing generation ofoxidants in the intake stream. Patterned arrays of electrodes in theintake stream (e.g., on the interior walls of the plasma generator,interior and exterior walls of concentric cylindrical chamber, etc) tomaximize the amount of plasma inside a given area (e.g. reaction zone)inside the plasma generator. High voltage electric fields are also usedto impart thrust on the intake air stream with precise flow vectoring.Blind mate connectors and other user-friendly connectors are usedbetween components (e.g., between power module and electrodes, etc) tomake embodiments of the inventive subject matter easy to use,user-friendly, and safe to assemble and maintain.

In preferred embodiments, components of the devices are self-grounded,shielding at least some (preferably all) of the high voltage wiring andconnections from external systems, making it safe to touch the plasmagenerator while in operation. The plasma generator is preferably furthershielded from electrical interference with external electrical, control,or communication systems. For example, in some embodiments at least some(preferably all) high voltage components are attached to the plasmagenerator (e.g., reactor) housing and shielded. In some embodiments,multiple modular power supplies are used that work together to powerisolated electrode sets (e.g., 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:10, or 1:20ratio of modular power supply to electrode set, etc), such that if onemodular power supply paired electrode set fails, other modular powersupplies and paired electrodes sets are available to operate asback-ups. In some embodiments, such modular power supply and pairedelectrode sets can operate at power or voltage greater than normaloperation to compensate for failed power and electrode pairs, forexample 110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, 150%, 200%, or greater than normaloperating parameters. Defective power supplies, power supplycontrollers, or electrode inserts can likewise be removed and replacedwithout affecting the performance of other power delivery modules, powercontrollers, or electrode inserts of the plasma generator.

The plasma generator (e.g., reactor) is preferably located in the intakestream of an ICE engine, upstream of the exhaust gas recirculation(“EGR”) to eliminate potential contamination of insulators and otherplasma generator components, for example by water vapor and particulatematter (e.g., soot). Moreover, insulators in the reactor/plasmagenerator preferably have a glazed top-coat to make them at leastsemipermeable, preferably impermeable, to constituents of the exhaustgas or any other liquids, gases, and or particulate matter inside theair intake of an ICE engine. In some embodiments, sensors detectpressure differentials (or voltage feedback, or both) in the plasma orintake stream inside the plasma generator, and the power supplycontroller changes the discharge of electrodes in the plasma generatorto compensate for the pressure differentials (or voltage feedback, orboth).

FIG. 1 is a cross section view of an electrode of the inventive subjectmatter. FIG. 1 depicts mid-tube cross section 100, having innerconductor 110 and dielectric layer 120. Inner conductor 110 ispreferably made at least partially (more preferably wholly) of stainlesssteel, nickel, titanium, copper, tungsten, or aluminum, or combinationsthereof. Dielectric layer 120 is preferably made at least partially ofquartz, a ceramic (e.g., alumina ceramic), mica, barium titanate,strontium titanate, conjugated polymers, calcium copper titanate, orcombinations thereof, and preferably non-porous. In preferredembodiments, inner conductor 110 has a diameter of about 1 mm, thoughdiameters of 0.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, and 5 mm are also contemplated.Likewise, dielectric layer 120 preferably has a diameter measured fromthe outer wall of the dielectric layer of about 5 mm, and always greaterthan the diameter of inner conductor 110.

FIG. 2a depicts the flow of matter (e.g., air) around electrode 210 a ofthe inventive subject matter in an intake stream of an ICE engine.Immediately downstream of electrode 210 a is separation point 220 a,where matter (e.g., air) flowing from left to right over electrode 210 aseparates from the electrode. Downstream of separation point 220 a iswake region 230 a, which depicts the turbulence in the matter flowdownstream of the electrode. In this embodiment, matter in wake region230 a is highly turbulent, with increased drag of the flow of matterover the electrode and asymmetric mixing dynamics. The shape and surfacecontours of electrode 220 a, as well as the spacing and arrangement ofother electrodes, can be adjusted to increase or decrease drag, as wellas introduce asymmetric mixing dynamics, symmetrical mixing dynamics, orno mixing dynamics downstream of the electrode.

FIG. 2b depicts the flow of matter (e.g., air) around electrode 210 b ofthe inventive subject matter in an intake stream for an ICE engine, withthe flow of matter exhibiting reduced drag compared to FIG. 2a andsymmetrical mixing dynamics in wake region 230 b, with a reducedseparation point 220 b as compared to FIG. 2a and separation point 220a.

FIG. 2c depicts the flow of matter (e.g., air) around electrode 210 c ofthe inventive subject matter in an intake stream for an ICE engine, withthe flow of matter exhibiting reduced with reduced drag compared to FIG.2b and no mixing dynamics in wake region 230 c, with a further reducedseparation point 220 c compared to FIG. 2 b.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of arrays 300 a and 300 b of electrodes310 in an intake plasma generator of the inventive subject matter, witheach array exhibiting different flow dynamics. Tube cross sectional flowareas 320 a and 320 b are adjusted to determine flow characteristics(backpressure, flow velocity, dynamic geometry, vortex sheddingfrequency) on matter (e.g., gas, liquid, solid, plasma, combinationthereof) flow through the arrays, both inside and outside the tubes ofeach electrode. For example, cross sectional flow area 320 a is smallerthan cross section flow area 320 b, producing a more constrained flow ofmatter through the array.

FIG. 4 depicts an arrays 400 a, 400 b, 400 c, and 400 d of electrodes inan intake plasma generator of the inventive subject matter, with eacharray having a different flow dynamic. Here, array 400 a is in a square90° configuration, array 400 b is in a square 45° configuration, array400 c is in a triangle 30° configuration, and array 400 d is in atriangle 45° configuration. Tube (electrode) array configurations caneither enhance or diminish mixing and drag depending on the tubes'correlating positions with respect to their neighboring tubes.

FIG. 5A depicts a front view of an array of electrodes (tubes) 530 inintake plasma generator 500 of the inventive subject matter, arrangedwith the axis of each tube perpendicular to a flow of matter (e.g., air)in the intake stream. Plasma generator 500 includes housing 510 with rim520 that provides flow to the array of electrodes 530, which aredisposed within the intake stream of intake plasma generator 500. FIG.5B depicts a further depiction of plasma generator 500, with crosssection and angled view of intake plasma generator 500 from FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 depicts DBD discharges 630 between outer dielectric layersurfaces 610 of each respective electrode (tube) 620 of intake plasmagenerator 600 of the inventive subject matter. DBD discharges 630 createoxidants in the flow of matter (e.g., air) through the intake plasmagenerator.

FIG. 7 depicts electrode 700, which is another embodiment used in intakeplasma generators of the inventive subject matter. Electrode 700includes secondary high voltage electrode 710 surrounding outerdielectric layer 722 of electrode (tube) 720. Secondary high voltageelectrode 710 also includes upstream perforation 712 and downstreamperforation 714, which permits matter (air) in the intake stream to flowthrough the perforations, exposing such matter to plasma discharge 730(e.g., typically nonthermal plasma, DBD, or hybrid plasma, preferablyDBD, filamentary, or glow plasma) between dielectric layer 722 andsecondary high voltage electrode 710.

FIG. 8 depicts array 800 of electrodes (tubes) 700 a and 700 b, eachsurrounded by a secondary high voltage electrode (perforated) asdepicted in FIG. 7. In this arrangement, in addition to arc-plasmadischarge (or DBD, or hybrid plasma, or filamentary, or glow plasma)between the dielectric layer and the secondary high voltage electrode ofeach pair, arc-plasma discharge (or DBD, or hybrid plasma) 810 occursbetween the perforated secondary high voltage electrodes of each pair.

FIG. 9 depicts 900 array of electrodes (tubes) 910 with primary andsecondary plasma discharges 920 and 922 (e.g., non-thermal plasma,filamentary plasma, glow plasma, DBD plasma, etc) occurring between eachgenerator 910 in one embodiment of an intake plasma generator of theinventive subject matter with flow of matter (e.g., air) in thedirection of arrow A. Industry standard plasma reformers have a singledischarge that operates at one voltage. If more oxidants need to begenerated, there is a limited range of increase of oxidants by simplyadding more power, for example due to waste heat that reduces oxidantproduction efficiency. However, the inventive subject mattercontemplates multiple discharge points (e.g., primary discharge 920 andsecondary discharge 922, etc) that operate at higher voltages (e.g.,secondary discharge higher voltage (e.g. more than 30 kv, 40 kv, 50 kv,or 60 kv, etc) than primary discharge (e.g., less than 30 kv, 20 kv, 10kv, 5 kv, etc)) when more oxidants need to be produced.

FIG. 10 depicts an alternative embodiment of an intake plasma generatorcomprising the electrode arrays of the inventive subject matter, andfurther including plasma actuators (comprising actuator outer electrodesand actuator inner electrodes) positioned upstream of the electrodearray (patterned tubes). Plasma generator 1000 includes housing 1010with flow channel 1012 for receiving a flow of air in the intake of anICE engine, through upstream opening 1014 past actuator inner electrodes1032, through electrode array (patterned tubes) 1020 and out downstreamopening 1016. High voltage AC and/or DC is applied between the surfaceof tubes in electrode array 1020 and plasma actuator electrodes 1030 and1032 to entrain the gas flow to become more coherent. This effect ishelpful for reducing frontal drag on the tubes. Actuator outerelectrodes 1030 are positioned circumferentially on the outside of theupstream opening 1014 and are submerged in a dielectric substance tosequester a plasma discharge. Actuator inner electrodes 1032 arepositioned circumferentially on the inside surface of upstream opening1014, and generate plasma on edges of the electrodes to impart momentumon air flow, effectively reducing frontal drag on tube array 1020. Tubearray 1020 is arranged inside the air stream of plasma generator 1000 togenerate oxidants and mix them with the bulk air flow.

FIG. 11 depicts a schematic of system 1100 of the inventive subjectmatter, including intake plasma generator 1110 operating in the intakestream of ICE 1120. Air flows in the direction of arrow A into andthrough intake plasma generator 1110. Intake plasma generator 1110 mixesthe air, increases thrust/flow of the air, and produces a consistentdistribution of oxidants in the air flow. The air flow containingoxidants exits generator 1110 at arrow B, and flows into ICE 1120 (e.g.,through intake manifold into cylinder). The air flow containing oxidantsimproves the combustion characteristics of ICE 1120, with exhaustexiting at arrow C. System 1100 increases efficiency, increases power,and lowers emissions of ICE 1120 compared to systems that operatewithout generator 1110.

FIG. 12 depicts a schematic of system 1200 of the inventive subjectmatter, including plasma generator 1210 operating in the intake stream Aof ICE 1240. Air flow in the direction of arrow A flows into and throughplasma generator 1210. Plasma generator 1210 mixes the air, increasesthrust/flow of the air, and uses plasma to produce a consistentdistribution of oxidants in the air flow. The air flow containingoxidants exits generator 1210 at arrow B and flows into plenum/manifold1230, which further distributes the flow into ICE 1240 (e.g., intocylinder). The air flow containing oxidants at arrow B improves thecombustion characteristics of ICE 1240. It should also be noted thatgenerator 1210 is positioned upstream of EGR 1220, which avoidscontaminating generator 1210 with moisture, particulate matter (e.g.,soot) or other contaminates from EGR 1220 that are recirculated into ICE1240 System 1200 increases efficiency, increases power, and lowersemissions of ICE 1240 compared to systems that operate without generator1210.

FIG. 13 depicts schematic 1300 of the operation of plasma generator 1310of the inventive subject matter. Plasma generator 1310 includes powerdelivery modules 1322, 1324, and 1326, which are each independentlyelectrically coupled to insulated electrode arrays 1332, 1334, and 1336,respectively, within plasma generator 1310. Power delivery modules 1322,1324, and 1326 each separately drive insulated electrode arrays 1332,1334, and 1336 during stages A, B, and C of an ICE engine operation, asdepicted by the large-dash, short-dash, and dot-dash lines in theschematic.

Stage A is the cold start of an ICE engine. During stage A, each ofpower delivery modules 1322, 1324, and 1326 powers insulated electrodearrays 1332, 1334, and 1336 to generate plasma (e.g., DBD, arc, hybrid,etc), preferably DBD, in the airflow. This increases thrust of airflowthrough plasma generator 1310 and into an ICE engine (e.g., cylinder ofthe engine), introduces oxidants and other radicals into the air flow,and mixes the air flow to produce a consistent blend of oxidants andradicals. The increased thrust and oxidant/radical blend significantlyincreases the power and efficiency of an ICE engine at cold start, aswell as substantially reduces the pollutant emissions of the engine, asthe catalyst for emission reduction in the engine does not functionsufficiently, or optimally, until a thermal equilibrium of the ICEengine is reached.

Stage B is the post-cold start stage of an ICE engine operation, as theengine approaches thermal equilibrium. During stage B, each of powerdelivery modules 1322 and 1326 powers insulated electrode arrays 1332and 1336 to generate plasma (e.g., DBD, arc, hybrid, etc), preferablyDBD, in the airflow. This again increases thrust and oxidant/radicalpresence in the airflow, which increases the power and efficiency of anICE engine, as well as substantially reduces harmful emissions. Stage Cis the post-thermal equilibrium stage of an ICE engine operation, wherethe engine has reached a thermal equilibrium. At this stage, only powerdelivery module 1322 delivers power to insulator electrode array 1332 togenerate plasma, which increases thrust and oxidant/radical presence inthe airflow.

FIG. 14A depicts an exploded view of plasma generator 1400 of theinventive subject matter, including power supply housing 1410, reactorbody 1420, and insulator electrode insert 1430. In combined form,insulator electrode insert 1430 nests within reactor body 1420 (arrowA), and power supply housing 1410 nests over reactor body 1420 (arrowB). Power supply housing 1410 includes power delivery modules 1412,1414, and (not pictured) 1416. Reactor body 1420 includes reactorcircuitry 1422, 1424, and (not pictured) 1426, which couples with eachof power delivery modules 1412, 1414, and 1416 when generator 1400 is inoperable form. Insulator electrode insert 1430 includes nested insulatedelectrode arrays 1432, 1434, and 1436 (not pictured), for example of thefashion disclosed in FIG. 13. Each of insulated electrode arrays 1432,1434, and 1436 electrically couples to reactor circuitry 1422, 1424, and1426, respectively, for example via electrical feedthrough port 1432,and is powered by power delivery modules 1412, 1414, and 1416,respectively, when generator 1400 is in operable form.

FIG. 14B depicts the operable form of plasma generator 1400 of theinventive subject matter. Power delivery modules 1412, 1414, and 1416are arranged about the exterior of generator 1400. The reactor chamberof generator 1400 includes outer cylinder 1440 and inner cylinder 1450.Outer cylinder 1440 includes electrode pattern 1442 arranged alongdielectric material 1441 on the inner surface of outer cylinder 1440.Inner cylinder is positioned approximately in the center of outercylinder 1440, and includes electrode pattern 1452 arranged alongdielectric material 1451 on the inner surface of inner cylinder 1450.

FIG. 14C further depicts a side angle exploded view of plasma generator1400.

FIG. 14D further depicts a side angle exploded view of reactor body1420, including reactor circuitry 1422, 1424, and 1426 arranged aboutreactor housing 1460.

FIG. 14E further depicts an axial view of insulator electrode insert1430, having outer cylinder 1440 (which includes electrode patterns ondielectric material of the cylinder wall) and inner cylinder 1450positioned substantially in the center of outer cylinder 1450 (againwith electrode patterns on the dielectric material of the interior andexterior cylinder walls). Inner cylinder 1450 is positioned within outercylinder 1440 by support columns 1434, which include electricalfeedthrough ports 1432 (not pictured). In operation, insulator electrodeinsert generates DBD, with a charge distribution of the electrodes ofnegative charge in region A, positive charge in region B, and negativecharge in region C.

FIG. 15A depicts a side cross section view of plasma generator 1500 ofthe inventive subject matter. FIG. 15B depicts a closeup of region A ofplasma generator 1500, while FIG. 15C depicts a closeup of region B ofplasma generator 1500.

FIG. 15B depicts a closeup of region A of plasma generator 1500,including outer cylinder 1510 and inner cylinder 1520. The walls ofouter cylinder 1510 and inner cylinder 1520 are made substantially ofdielectric material (e.g., quartz, alumina ceramic, mica, bariumtitanate, strontium titanate, conjugated polymers, calcium coppertitanate, etc). Actuator outer electrodes 1512 and 1514 are disposedabout the outer circumference of outer cylinder 1510, and embedded indielectric material to sequester a plasma discharge. Exposed electrodepattern 1516 is disposed along the inner circumference of outer cylinder1510, and is used to generate a plasma (e.g., DBD, arc, hybrid,preferably DBD) at the edges of electrode pattern 1516, and in turngenerate oxidants and other radicals while imparting momentum on airflow through the outer cylinder, effectively reducing drag on the innerwalls of the cylinder. Inner cylinder 1520 also includes electrodepattern 1522 along the outer circumference of inner cylinder 1520, andelectrode pattern 1524 along the inner circumference of inner cylinder1520. Electrode patterns 1522 and 1524 are likewise used to generate aplasma (e.g., DBD, arc, hybrid, preferably DBD) at the edges of theelectrode patterns, in turn generating oxidants and other radicals whileimparting momentum on air flow through the outer and inner cylinders.

FIG. 15C depicts a closeup of region B of plasma generator 1500,including support column 1530 and reactor control 1540. Wall 1531 ofsupport column 1530 is made substantially of dielectric material (e.g.,ceramic, alumina ceramic, quartz, mica, barium titanate, strontiumtitanate, conjugated polymers, calcium copper titanate, etc) and couplesto the inner and outer cylinders. Support column 1533 further includeshigh voltage insulation 1533 (e.g., made of teflon, ceramic, quartz,silicon, combinations thereof, etc) about ground wire 1535. Reactorcontrol 1540 includes plasma power supply circuit components 1541, whichcontrol the generation of plasma at the electrodes. Reactor control 1540further includes ground wire 1546, which further couples to reactorhousing 1548 (along with ground wire 1535). Reactor control 1540 furtherincludes high voltage transformer core 1543 and high voltage transformersecondary coil 1545. Circuit housing 1544 and circuit housing cover 1542further enclose reactor control 1540. It should be appreciated from FIG.15C that the components of plasma generator 1500 are self-grounded.

FIG. 16A depicts power coupling 1610 of reactor housing 1600 of a plasmagenerator of the inventive subject matter. Power coupling 1610 includesmale blind-mate connectors 1612 and 1614, which are tapered and highvoltage. Power coupling 1610 further includes blind-mate tapered slideconnectors 1616, which are designed to mate with a complementary taperedslide connector of a power delivery module to guide and couple the powerdelivery module to power coupling 1610.

FIG. 16B depicts power delivery module 1620 of a plasma generator of theinventive subject matter. Power delivery module 1620 includes femaleblind-mate connectors 1622 and 1624, which are tapered and high voltage.Female connectors 1622 and 1624 are sized and dimensioned to complementmale connectors 1612 and 1614 to electrically couple power deliverymodule 1620 to power coupling 1610. Power delivery module 1620 furtherincludes blind-mate tapered slide connectors 1626, which are designed tomate with complementary tapered slide connector 1616 of a power coupling1610 to guide and couple power delivery module 1620 to power coupling1610.

FIG. 16C depicts a cross section view of power delivery module 1620coupled with coupling 1610 of reactor housing 1600. Male connectors 1612(and 1614) include ceramic cover 1611 and conductor 1613. Male connector1612 couples with ceramic cover 1625 of power delivery module 1620,bringing conductor 1613 into contact with a conductor of femaleconnector 1622. Power delivery module further includes high voltagetransformer core 1628 which is at least partially surrounded by highvoltage transformer primary coil 1627. Top housing cover 1621 and basehousing cover 1623 enclose the contents of power delivery module 1620.

FIG. 17 depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of the inventivesubject matter where plasma generator 1710 is coupled to an existing airintake system including air intake tubes 1721 and 1723.

FIG. 18 depicts an embodiment of the inventive subject matter whereplasma generator 1810 is integrated with an air intake elbow of an ICEengine.

FIG. 19 depicts a partially exploded view of an embodiment of theinventive subject matter where plasma generator 1910 and 1920 arecoupled in series (e.g., face to face) in line with air intake tubes1931 and 1932.

FIG. 20 depicts a view of an embodiment of the inventive subject matterwhere plasma generator 2010 is coupled to a 4-cylinder manifold 2020 ofan ICE engine.

FIG. 21 depicts a view of an embodiment of the inventive subject matterwhere plasma generator 2110 is coupled to 3-cylinder manifold 2120 of anICE engine.

FIG. 22A depicts jet turbine inlet cowl 2200 of the inventive subjectmatter. Jet turbine inlet cowl 2200 includes outer cylinder 2210, innercylinder 2220 positioned approximately in the center of outer cylinder2210, and support columns 2230 securing inner cylinder 2210 in position.Outer cylinder 2210 further includes dielectric material 2211 on aninterior surface of the cylinder, with electrode pattern 2212 ondielectric material 2211. Inner cylinder 2220 includes dielectricmaterial 2221 making up the wall of the cylinder, with electrode pattern2222 disposed along the interior surface of inner cylinder 2220, andelectrode pattern 2223 disposed along the outer surface of innercylinder 2220.

FIG. 22B depicts a cross section view of j et turbine inlet cowl 2200,further depicting power supply circuit 2241, ground wires 2242 and 2243,and compressor 2250. Power supply circuit 2241 operates the electrodepatterns to generate plasma (e.g., DBD, arc, hybrid, etc). Ground wires2242 and 2243 ground the inner cylinder and the inlet cowl,respectively.

FIG. 23A depicts an axial view of insulator electrode insert 2300 of theinventive subject matter, including outer cylinder 2210, inner cylinder2220, and a plurality of tube electrodes 2330 (e.g., tube electrodes ofFIG. 1) securing inner cylinder 2220 in place.

FIG. 23B depicts a cross section view of insulator electrode insert2300. The plurality of tube electrodes 2330 are arranged in a patternaround inner cylinder 2320. Plasma actuator electrodes 2342 is arrangedin a pattern about the outer circumference of inner cylinder 2320, whileplasma actuator electrodes 2346 are arranged in a patter about the innercircumference of inner cylinder 2320. Plasma actuator electrodes 2344are arranged in a pattern about the inner circumference of outercylinder 2310.

FIG. 24 depicts an axial view of insulator electrode insert 2400 of theinventive subject matter. Insulator electrode 2400 has a hexagonal shape(e.g., hexagonal prism) included six insulator electrode plates, made ofdielectric material with electrode patterns disposed on the outersurface and the inner surface of each plate. The electrode patterns areoperated to generate a plasma (e.g., DBD, arc, hybrid, etc) with anelectrode charge distribution of negative charge in region A andpositive charge in region B.

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of theinventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a singlecombination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter isconsidered to include all possible combinations of the disclosedelements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and asecond embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subjectmatter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A,B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term“coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which twoelements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirectcoupling (in which at least one additional element is located betweenthe two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with”are used synonymously.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at leastone of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . andN, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from thegroup, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. An intake plasma generator for an internalcombustion engine (ICE) having a combustion chamber coupled to an intakestream, comprising: a first and a second dielectric barrier discharge(DBD) electrode disposed at least partially proximal to the intakestream; wherein the first and second DBD electrodes generate a pluralityof oxidants about a reaction zone in the intake stream, and wherein theplurality of oxidants treat matter in the intake stream to increasecombustion efficiency in the combustion chamber.
 2. The intake plasmagenerator of claim 1, wherein the first DBD electrode is a plasmaactuator.
 3. The intake plasma generator of claim 1, wherein the firstand second DBD electrodes generate a hybrid-plasma in the reaction zonecomprising at least a glide-arc plasma and a DBD plasma.
 4. The intakeplasma generator of claim 2, wherein the wall of the first DBD electrodeis a ground electrode for a first high voltage electrode positionedoutside the wall.
 5. The intake plasma generator of claim 4, wherein thewall of the second DBD electrode is a ground electrode for a second highvoltage electrode positioned outside the wall.
 6. The intake plasmagenerator of claim 1, further comprising a third DBD electrode, whereinthe first, second, and third electrodes are arranged in the intakestream to complement the Von Karman Vortex Street fluid instability ofmatter passing through the intake stream.
 7. The intake plasma generatorof claim 2, wherein the first and second DBD electrodes each have anaxis along the length of the generator, and wherein the first and secondDBD electrodes are positioned in the intake stream such that each axisis perpendicular to a flow of matter in the intake stream.
 8. The intakeplasma generator of claim 1, wherein the first and second DBD electrodesare tubular comprising a wall.
 9. An intake plasma generator for aninternal combustion engine (ICE) having an intake stream coupled to acombustion chamber, comprising: an first plasma actuator disposed on aninner surface of the intake plasma generator disposed and at leastpartially exposed to the intake stream; and a DBD electrode disposed onan inner surface of the intake plasma generator disposed and at leastpartially exposed to the intake stream; wherein the first plasmaactuator or the DBD electrode generates a plurality of radicals in theintake stream, and wherein the plurality of radicals increase combustionefficiency in the combustion chamber.
 10. The intake plasma generator ofclaim 9, wherein the plasma generator is positioned upstream of anintake plenum of the ICE or upstream from an exhaust gas recirculation(EGR) of the ICE, and wherein the DBD electrode is a second plasmaactuator.
 11. The intake plasma generator of claim 9, further comprisinga cylinder disposed within and substantially parallel to a portion ofthe intake plasma generator, wherein the cylinder comprises a secondactuator electrode about a surface of the cylinder, and wherein thecylinder induces mixing of the plurality of radicals.
 12. The intakeplasma generator of claim 9, comprising at least one of a plate or acylindrical insulating structures.
 13. The intake plasma generator ofclaim 9, further comprising an electrically shielded circuit housingcoupled to the intake plasma generator, wherein the electricallyshielded circuit housing encloses a ground wire and a high voltage wirefor a high voltage transformer.
 14. The intake plasma generator of claim13, wherein a reactor chamber of the plasma generator is grounded. 15.The intake plasma generator of claim 9, wherein the at least one of thefirst plasma actuator or the DBD electrode uses plasma to create thrustin the intake stream.
 16. The intake plasma generator of claim 9,wherein at least one of the first plasma actuator, the DBD electrode, ora dielectric material of the intake plasma generator has a surfacefeature.
 17. The intake plasma generator of claim 9, wherein a powerdelivery module has blind-mate connections to a reactor of the intakeplasma generator.
 18. The intake plasma generator of claim 9, wherein afirst and a second power delivery module supplies power to a first andsecond actuator electrode.
 19. The intake plasma generator of claim 11,wherein the cylinder is supported by a structural member, and whereinthe structural member comprises an electrode.
 20. A system wherein theplasma generator of claim 9 is structurally integrated in or separatelyappended to the air intake stream of an ICE device.